Hindu creation story

Before time began, there was no heaven, no earth, no space. Just nothing. The waves of vast dark ocean lapped on the edges of this nothingness, and a giant cobra floated in the waters. Lying asleep in the snake's coils was Lord Vishnu, and the snake kept him safe and he slept really peacefully. Slowly, a sound started. It grew louder and filled the emptiness. It throbbed with energy and drove the nothingness away. Lord Vishnu woke up, and a magnificent lotus flower grew from his navel. Right in the middle of the flower sat Brahma. Lord Vishnu told Brahma to set to work and create a world. And still, sitting in the flower, Brahma calmed the wind, stilled the waves, and brought peace. Brahma split the lotus flower, making three different parts, the heavens, the earth, and the skies. To start with, the earth was bare, so Brahma created everything, the grass and all kinds of flowers, trees and plants. He gave these the ability to feel. He let living things evolve, so that the earth became full of animals, insects, birds and fish. He gave these the ability to touch and smell, as well as the ability to see, hear and move. Soon, the world was alive with life, and the air was filled with the sounds of Brahma's creations. So, Hindus have many ways of thinking about God. As part of this, they say there is one God, but use different names for God when he does different things. When God creates, he is called Brahma, and when God looks after the creation, he is called Vishnu. But God has a third name. At some time, God will decide to bring this universe to an end, and as Lord Shiva, he will destroy the universe.